This is the mark of an awesome educator! Pat always enjoyed wearing that Tigger costume on Halloween and showing the kids that she was one of them. I will miss having a retirement lunch with her every now and then.

Pat was an amazing women, and she will forever be remembered for her strength when faced with adversity and her love for her beautiful daughters and grandson. I remember she would spend hours at the Hinsdale Dance Academy shooting the breeze with my Aunt Yvonne. She was intellegent and kind but she was no pushover. I added her to our dance family and she will be missed. Prayers to everyone during this hard time. Until we can meet again...we will miss you Pat.

She was my principal at jefferson. She always had my back because I got bullied when I needed her she was there. I will miss her with all my heart I was her little abba dabba do! I will never forget her

Pat was a dormitory Resident Advisor at Northern Illinois University for several years. She was the RA for a group of us at Davis Hall at NIU and became a close friend known to us by her nickname "Farkle" because of her smile, freckles & eyeglasses. She shared with us good times & good friends at NIU, and we continued to be friends on into the years.
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a wonderful person who was kind, smart, and most of all caring of kids. She was undoubtedly a terrific principal, with the emphasis on "pal." And her daughters can say what a great Mom she was. But for us, her NIU friends, she was simply a great comrade. Goodbye Farkle. We will miss your sweet face.
~pam

Rest in peace beautiful lady. I do not have the correct words to express, my feelings, so I am going to just start here. When you met me, you saw something in me that changed my life forever. You offered me my first teaching job, and opened up my path from being a “punk kid” into a “true adult.” Your door was always open, whether I needed professional or personal advice. You taught me that “family always came first, before anything in the world.” You put me in my place, when it was deserved, and trust me, there were times that I needed it! You trusted in my decisions, even when I did not always trust in myself. You challenged me, when I needed to grow, or you were being stubborn (because you could be, and I loved that attribute about you) you always asked how my littles were doing, and how I doing, whether you were having a good day, or not. The year you retired, was the year that I left with you, and explored my abilities teaching littler littles. You always stood by me, as some the people I held dear to my heart passed away and I was not ready to deal with their passing at that time. My heart is with your family, as now it is your turn to travel on. I truly loved you, and I along with many others will never forget you, nor the impact you made on our lives.

Worked under Pat (as my VP @ Lincoln), and again as my Principal (@ Goodwin).
I don't know of a more fair & consistent "boss", during my entire career as a teacher.
I know she will be missed by many...and I can only take solus knowing she's resting peacefully, in a better place.
Thank you for being a friend.

Pat hired me 5 years ago in 2012 for the vacant PE position at Jefferson. It was my first full-time job. She was always an advocate for her staff. I switched over to the Health position in 2015 after she retired. At the beginning of the school year she had left me a note in my mailbox wishing me luck in the new position. To her family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss.

I worked with Pat at Goodwin School. I fondly remember her and I having a rolling chair race down the hall and laughing as we ran into walls. She was a great principal and loved by her entire Goodwin family. She will be missed!! Rest in peace Pat!!!

Please accept my sincere sympathy in the passing of your Mother, Pat. It was my honor to know her as a colleague and a friend in the Cicero schools. She was a comfortable, fun person, and I, as well as other teachers, wanted to do our best because of her. She led with wisdom, kindness and dignity. Pat was a true advocate of children in every way. She touched many lives, and will be missed and remembered dearly.

I was a student at Jefferson middle school. She was a great principal making the school a better place to go to everyday. My heart goes out to her friends and family. She was a very sweet, loving, and caring person. Rip your will be greatly missed.

Pat-
I'm am truly grateful for all you helped me accomplish during my teaching career at Jefferson. You were supportive and a straight shooter...which I loved about you. You were tough but had a heart of gold-such a winning combination. I will always hold dear the advice you gave me as I made the decision to move forward to a new life in Arizona, "Never apologize to doing what's best for you...and NEVER look back!" You were a beautiful soul and I will treasure you always. Rest peacefully.

Miss cross was one of the most lovely beautiful inspiring person I knew ! I loved her so much we would talk and just have heart to hearts during my lunch period at Jefferson ! She will definitely be missed !!

I didn't know Pat well, but I do know she raised two amazingly awesome human beings. And really, when it's all said and done, is about the best thing you can do to leave your mark on the world. Godspeed Pat.

I am so sorry to see the obituary for Pat. She was a wonderful principal in Cicero when I taught at Goodwin School. I wish I would be in town to personally let you all know how much she has meant to me. Very sad indeed... I am 63 years old ...she was too young to go already.
My deepest condolences to you all; she spoke very fondly of family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. She was a great friend, principle and had a heart of gold. She would always be there to help ,talk if had a bad day. Even give a hug when need one. Can't say enough about her. God bless you all.. She will be truly missed. She touched my son's life in a big way.

To all of Pat's family, my deepest sympathies. Pat and I went to high school together in Cicero at Morton East High School. We shared a lot of good times in those days. We only recently connected thru Facebook about 3 or 4 years ago. I will always remember her smile and good sense of humor. I have fond memories of growing up in the same neighborhood, remembering her parents as well.

Pat was my principal at Goodwin Elementary School in Cicero for many years. We worked closely on many literacy initiatives and shared lots of laughs. I will always remember her for her sense of humor, her enthusiasm, her fairness, and her Wednesday meetings in the LLC. My prayers are with Pat's family and her Goodwin family as well.

Want to share our condolences to the Cross family. Mrs. Cross was our son's principal while he was a student at Jefferson Middle school. While a principal at Jefferson, Mrs. Cross's tireless efforts help rebuild Jefferson's respect and integrity as a top rate middle school. We as a family appreciated all that she did while here in District 129. May God comfort your family during this time and each day after.